First-ever Literary Arts Festival to be held

On Sunday, April 22, the first ever Literary Arts Festival in the Rockaways will be presented by the Rockaway Music and Arts Council (RMAC).
Rockaway resident and author Stuart W. Mirsky initially had the idea for the event a few years ago and teamed up with RMAC to make it happen.
“It’s something I wanted to do for a long time,” said Mirsky, a member of RMAC. He continued, “There’s a big movement…to develop the arts aspect of the Rockaways. It occurred to me that this might be a good way to bring everyone together and create a focal point for the writing community.”
During the festival, which will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., more than 30 authors and screen writers will take part in various panel discussions addressing issues such as women in literature, suspense, historical fiction and children’s tales, among others. There will also be editors and agents on hand who will take part in a special panel discussion entitled “New Paradigms in the Publishing Industry.”
Those interested in trying to get their work published will be able to take part in a pitch session. Marian Lizzi, Editor-in-Chief, Perigee Books and Senior Editor, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, the Penguin Group; Stacey Barney, the Penguin Group; Michaela Hamilton, Kensington Books; and Michael Bourret, Dystel Literary Agency will be listening to the pitches.
The event is free. However, anyone interested in taking part in a pitch session must contact event organizers in advance with a synopsis and sample. Organizers will then see if the material matches what those listening to the pitches are interested in, and set up meetings during the festival.
The Literary Arts Festival will be held in Fort Tilden.
Anyone interested in the pitch session can e-mail Mirsky at swmirsky@aol.com.
For more information, visit www.rockawaymusicandarts.org/news.htm or call 718-945-6700.